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Awards / Honors

Alums' cider named best in Colorado Governor's Cup Wine Competition

April 18, 2014

Branch Out Cider's Perennial also takes its place in the inaugural Governor's Cup Case with the state's best reds, whites, roses, meads and dessert wines.

Branch Out Cider, a Fort Collins-based cidery owned by Colorado State University alumni Aaron Fodge and Matt Fater, brought home the title of Best Cider/Fruit Wine from the fourth annual Governor's Cup Colorado Wine Competition April 5-6.

Branch Out's Perennial Sparkling Dry is an 8.5 percent alcohol cider made from apples contributed by a collaboration of neighbors who contirbute their fruit to the Community Orchard.

"We are very pleased to have been sleected for this award," said Fater, a College of Engineering graduate. "It is a true testament to the great people of the Community Orchard and their apple trees. We couldn't have accomplished this without them."

Co-owner Fodge is a graduate of the College of Business who now works as director of alternative transportation for CSU.

Governor's Cup Case

In addition to the title of Best Cider, Perennial will be included with 11 other award winners in the first-ever Governor's Cup Case. Wine included in the Governor's Cup case will be used by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board for marketing purposed in Colorado, across the country and around the world, as well as for educational purposes to help improve the overall quality of Colorado wines.

That's where the CSU connection continues. The two-day blind tasting was organized by State Enologist Stephen Menke, a porfessor in the College of Agriculture who also directs the operations of the Ram's Point Winery at the Western Agricultural Research Station near Grand Junction.

Many of the medal winning wines will be poured during Colorado Wine Week, May 31-June 8. Visit www.coloradowineweek.com for more information.